The Tennessee Vols and Auburn Tigers will meet on Saturday in Knoxville in a battle of 3-1 teams. This has been a game that has been of note since the end of the 2025 season, when Auburn hired former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh, who helped generate Heupel’s electric 2022 offense before taking the South Florida head coaching job after the season. Golesh also hired former Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks to his staff.

So who will come out on top between the master and apprentice on Saturday in Neyland Stadium? Our college football writers weighed in.

Tennessee 30, Auburn 23

After watching Tennessee scratch and claw to stay in the game in Knoxville last Saturday, I expect a bounce-back performance from the Vols at home this week. Tennessee went into deep waters with the number one team in the country and made Arch Manning look like a below-average quarterback at best. Now they have Byrum Brown and a head coach they know very well, Alex Golesh, heading to Rocky Top.

That is a recipe for disaster in my opinion. Golesh needs time to figure it out, but this Auburn team simply isn’t he same caliber of competition for the Vols. Not at the skill positions, not in the trenches (albeit Tennessee’s OL did struggle last week), and maybe not even at the quarterback position. Give me the Vols in a get-right game.

Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama

Tennessee 38, Auburn 27

This game is going to mean something for Tigers head coach Alex Golesh. He was the offensive coordinator under Heupel for multiple years before taking over at South Florida. It always just means a bit more when you face your former team.

What also helps this game stand out if the former Auburn staffer leaking secrets of the football program, including to Tennessee. That will certainly bring some extra juice to the matchup.

Both teams have true dual-threat quarterbacks and solid rushing attacks. What will make the difference is the defensive front from the Volunteers, who tortured the Texas Longhorns last weekend.

Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Florida

Tennessee 19, Auburn 16

Tennessee is in a rough way on their offensive line, with starting guard Wendell Moe, Jr. out for the season and another starter, Sham Umarov, questionable per the midweek availability report. Thus, while not at the same talent level as Texas, I can clearly see Auburn giving Tennessee some of the same problems defensively that the Texas did last weekend. Add in that Golesh and Banks know Heupel as well as anyone, and you’ve got a recipe for problems for the Vols.

But Tennessee’s defense is playing at a very high level right now, better than anything Auburn has faced this year. Jim Knowles’ unit will deliver a couple of short fields and a game-changing turnover, and Tennessee just barely hangs on for a win they badly need.

Craig Smith, A to Z Sports Tennessee

Auburn 21, Tennessee 17

The Auburn Tigers have started their season fine, but there are clear issues throughout this team. If they want to be one of the last standing at the end of the season, they have to improve their offensive line play and the trenches in general. Tennessee has one of the best pass rushes in the country, with 19 sacks through four games. Auburn isn’t great when they are playing from behind the sticks. If their offensive line can hold up and give the offense time to go, then Auburn should have no trouble on offense. Not to mention, their pace of play should keep Tennessee’s defense on the field and wear them out. Tennessee has their own offensive issues to fix. Their offensive line is pretty bad, and Brandon has to play better at QB.

Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Oklahoma

Tennessee 28, Auburn 13

This game should be much closer than the final score indicates, with Auburn hanging around and making Tennessee work for every possession. The difference ultimately comes down to the Volunteers’ ability to create explosive plays. Faizon Brandon and Mike Matthews provide some of those game-changing moments, giving Tennessee the spark it needs when the offense stalls and allowing the Vols to build separation late.

Auburn’s offense has enough success early to keep the Tigers within striking distance, but things begin to sputter in the second half. Tennessee’s defense tightens up, while the Vols continue finding ways to generate big plays on offense. Auburn struggles to sustain drives down the stretch, allowing Tennessee to pull away for a 28-13 victory.

Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame

Tennessee 35, Auburn 24

Tennessee had a tough, gutsy performance against Texas last week, but ultimately came up short. I think the Vols are going to bounce back this week against an Auburn team that also holds a 3-1 record to this point.

There is plenty of familiarity between these two coaching staffs, led by Josh Heupel and Alex Golesh. Golesh would love nothing more than to get one against Heupel, but I’m not picking Byrum Brown over Faizon Brandon to win this game.

I think Tennessee makes a rather strong statement after losing to Texas, even if they are a team that’s still a year away from really competing.

Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Ohio State